Thursday, 26 October 2017

Christmas party season is right around the corner, and I for one am pretty excited about it! I've probably made it quite clear on the blog by now that I love a good excuse to get glammed up, so when TK Maxx invited me to work with them on a partywear collaboration, I jumped at the chance. Now, I might get invited to the occasional glamorous event, especially around Christmas time, but I have a pretty average life. I'm not out at champagne receptions all the time (a girl can dream!) and my festive party season will probably involve more family dinners than fancy soirees. But I'm of the opinion that family dinners are as good an excuse to dress up as anything else, and as soon as I started looking at what TK Maxx had on offer, I knew that I'd find plenty to suit all kinds of different occasions. Their pieces are so varied that it really doesn't matter where on the glamour spectrum your festive events may fall. No matter how relaxed or formal your parties might be, you'll find the perfect outfit here, and at great prices too. TK Maxx really is your one stop shop for this season's partywear, in all its different forms.

My day with TK Maxx was great fun. Together with my photographer (and husband!) Mike, I took a trip to one of my local branches at the Birstall retail park near Leeds. Once there, I was invited to choose a selection of partywear from the store for my very own rail, for local customers to shop from.

It all began fairly sedately...

And then I found more, and more, and more things I liked.

After an hour or so, I had something of a manic glint in my eye and basically had to be restrained.

I was so impressed with the choice of womenswear. From cocktail dresses for those "out out" occasions to cute tops you could throw on with jeans for a casual drink with the girls, there was everything you could want to suit your every festive season need. I've mentioned before that it pays to employ slightly different tactics in TK Maxx - you need to work your way around the store to make sure you don't miss anything amazing. Do that, and you're pretty much guaranteed to find something you love. I found plenty! You'll also find a wide variety of well-known high end labels, as well as some more unusual brands and pieces that are a little bit different to what everyone else has. As for the 60% less than RRP, well, they make the treasure hunt experience even more rewarding and will definitely bring a smile to your face. For example, you can pick up this gorgeous velvet and lace dress for £29.99, which is a huge saving on the the Recommended Retail Price of £99.99, and complete the look with these silver and floral print heels for £59.99, down from the RRP of £145. You'll head off on your night out feeling like a million dollars, and with plenty of cash left over to put towards the evening's entertainment. Pretty good, don't you think?!

Getting back to my rail, I added a selection of menswear, with Mike's help, and some very cute miniature partywear for little ones. A few armfuls of droolworthy bags and shoes completed the edit, and before I knew it, everything had come together beautifully.

I've shared a few of my favourite picks from my rail below. Head into store now, and you'll be able to pick up similar pieces.

The dress was a great price at £29.99, while the coat is beautiful quality and incredibly warm, and feels so much more expensive than its £34.99 price tag. As for the sparkly sandals, the TK Maxx price of £39.99 is a fabulous 50% saving on the £80 RRP. Where else could you find a whole outfit for just over £100, especially of this kind of quality?

The little black dress is simple and effortless, and will work just as well with thick tights and flat boots as it does all glammed up. I love pieces like this because they're so versatile.

My favourite piece from the look is probably this beautiful faux fur coat. Despite not wearing very much underneath it, it kept me warm and cosy while taking these photos. It's perfect for wintry evenings out, when it's cold outside but you're wearing skimpy dresses or tops! I also think it would work beautifully with jeans and jumpers during the daytime.

Sparkly gold sandals are perfect for evening occasions all year round, but especially nice at Christmas time. They'll go with party dresses, jeans and cute tops and everything in between. They're pretty comfortable too, thanks to the block heel.

I couldn't be happier with either my partywear rail at the Birstall store or my own outfit, so I'm really grateful to TK Maxx for working with me on this. As you can see, there are some great pieces to be had at fantastic prices, but stock moves quickly, so if you like anything you see, don't delay and head into store or check out the website straight away!

Will you be stocking up on new partywear this season?

Kate x

*Gifted item.

This post was sponsored by TK Maxx. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Friday, 13 October 2017

Recently, I wrote a post about AW17's Red to Toe trend. I loved putting it together, and you guys seemed to enjoy it, so I thought I'd add a second to the series. This time, I just had to go for the "Dazzle" trend. I'm not afraid to admit that I enjoy a bit of bling, so I'm thrilled that all things metallic and sparkly are so hot right now! I've had a good old browse through some of my favourite high street stores, and put together some pieces I love to help you get the look without breaking the bank. Hope you enjoy!

Is it too early to start talking about Christmas Party Season? Because it's hard not to think about it while looking at these beauties! The dazzle trend is all about embracing full on glitz and a return to dressing up, and what better way to do that than by wearing all over sequins on your next night out? I love the idea of the H&M dress with opaque black tights and sky high heels, but I think my favourite of the four is the Miss Selfridge dress. I love the soft fabric and the way it drapes, and I imagine it would look wonderful catching the light as you move. You wouldn't need much to go with it, either, just a simple pair of heels.

There's something wonderfully eighties about this Boohoo body, don't you think?! I think it would look amazing with a black pencil skirt, or perhaps some wide leg trousers. The Miss Selfridge top is really versatile and I love its subtle sheen - it's definitely a more toned down take on the trend, although you could also dress it up beautifully with an embellished mini skirt. The River Island top is pretty daring, and I for one would want something super high-waisted to pair it with, but I love the feminine shape of it.

Miss Selfridge really are nailing this trend! This stunning sequinned skirt is available in three different colourways and guaranteed to turn heads wherever you wear it. But if there's one thing I love more than the skirt, it's those gold cigarette pants. So elegant! For something a little more low key, the glittery River Island jeans are perfect, while the pleated skirt from Boohoo would make a great wardrobe staple. Pair it with a turtle neck and boots for the daytime and a silky vest top and strappy sandals at night.

Sparkly accessories are always a good idea in my book! These River Island shoes would look amazing with an all black outfit, while the necklace would look just as good over a high necked blouse as it does with a plunging neckline. I loved the pretty Zara hairband so much that I just had to include it, even though I never seem to be able to make things like this work for me. The earrings, on the other hand, I would definitely wear - I am such a fan of the statement earring trend!

Will you be embracing the bling this season? And which is your favourite piece from my picks?

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

As you might have been able to tell from a couple of my previous posts (this one and this one), I've become a big fan of 3ina since they first came to my attention a few months ago. So, needless to say, it was a lovely surprise to receive another package from them last week. This time, they sent me a few of their new eye products, and there was plenty to get me excited, not least a nifty little gloss that helps you create the wet look eyeshadow that's so popular right now with a single swipe. Read on for my thoughts on the products I got!

This is the most beautiful colour. It looks blue to me, although the brand describes it as sea green. I was expecting the pigmentation to be stronger than it is, but in fact, it gives you more of a subtle hint of colour than a precise, vivid line. (For reference, I applied the above swatch using my Zoeva 317 Wing Liner brush.) Gel liners are always tricky for me to get to grips with, particularly as my eye shape doesn't lend itself to the winged cat eye look, and that combined with the lack of pigmentation means that this doesn't show up too well on my eyes. It's a real shame, as I was so looking forward to playing around with it. However, as I said, I am not the best partner for gel liners and this might work a lot better on someone who generally wears them well. 3ina also has a black, brown and cornflower blue liner in this range.

This kit reminds me a lot of Benefit Brow Zings, which I used to use religiously. There's a waxy product to define the shape of the brows, a powder to fill them in, a brush for each and a little pair of tweezers. It's packaged really nicely and I love the generously sized mirror - perfect for on the go. I found the wax product a lot softer than other brow products I've used, which made it tricky to work with, but when I switched the brush for my Bobbi Brown Eyebrow brush, it became a bit easier. The powder is very natural looking and filled my brows in well. On the whole, I like this kit, and will definitely use it, but it doesn't threaten Benefit Kabrow's status as my favourite.

Now this is very cool. If you're anything like me, you've probably noticed a lot of celebrities, models, influencers etc rocking the wet look eyeshadow trend lately. If you've been wondering how to create it for yourself, nothing could be easier. Simply apply your eyeshadow of choice (a single, lightish colour swept all over the lid works best) and then dab some of this stuff over the top using the handy sponge applicator. Alternatively, 3ina also make some tinted versions of this Eye Gloss which you can wear alone, but I like this clear one as it's more versatile - you can wear it over any shadow or even your bare eyelids if you want a very minimal look. There is a slight stickiness to the product, but once it's applied it's not uncomfortable at all. It leaves the shadow beneath it perfectly intact, and gives eyelids a lovely dewy glimmer - no danger of looking oily! See below for how it looks on.

This is my favourite of the products I was sent. The baked eyeshadow duo looks so beautiful in the pan, even though it sadly got cracked in transit. The quality is beautiful - silky, seamless and perfectly pigmented. As for the brown toned pink shade - I'm in love. It's flattering and warm and just right for the time of year. My only gripe with this product is that there is more of the white shade than the pink, which seems silly as the white is more of a highlight shade - or am I missing something?! In any case, it's really beautiful and I'm going to be wearing this to death throughout the Autumn.

In the photo below, I'm wearing the pink shadow all over my lids with a hint of the white in my inner corners. I've also applied the Eye Gloss over the top, although I have to say that this shadow looks equally good without it.

Have you tried any of these products from 3ina? And what are your thoughts on wet look eyeshadow?

Kate x

*Gifted item. Some links may be affiliate links. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Tuesday, 3 October 2017

There are two main things I look for when it comes to skincare. One is hydration - without upsetting the balance of my often temperamental combination skin, I want those fine lines plumped and that youthful look preserved! The other is glow. My skin can look quite dull if I don't work at it, and so any product that promises to brighten my complexion and make me all fresh and radiant looking is guaranteed to grab my attention. Hence, when Wishtrend offered me the opportunity to test and review Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask*, I said yes straight away.

The mask is a new product from Korean brand Klairs. The chief ingredient, Vitamin E, is designed to work in conjunction with Niacinamide to produce an immediate brightening effect. It can be used alone, but its powers are enhanced when paired with other skincare products containing Vitamin C (also known for its brightening properties), as the two anti-oxidants work to strengthen each other. Together, they also help to keep the skin protected against harmful free radicals that can accelerate the ageing process. In addition to this, Vitamin E possesses anti-inflammatory and skin softening properties, while another ingredient, Adenosine, helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can use the product as a moisturiser or as a mask, or even mix a little of it into other skincare products.

I usually love the way Korean beauty products are packaged and this one is definitely no exception - the iridescent touches are unusual and very pretty. The product is housed in a glass jar and there is a clear spatula to scoop it up with if you prefer not to use your fingers.

The texture of it is extraordinary and like no other skincare product I have used before. It feels like something in between a gel and a cream - the Wishtrend website says it is "like pudding", which really is the best way to describe it. Apparently, this unusual texture is due to it being formulated as "shape memory cream", which means that after it has been disturbed, it finds its way back to its original form. I noticed that when I went to use the product the second time, it looked perfectly smooth, as though I hadn't scooped up a big chunk of it the night before. Apart from this being fascinating (and fun to play with!) the advantage is that it will adhere really well to your skin upon application.

I find the mask to be quite sticky on my skin, and it takes a little while to absorb. Others might not find this, and some might not mind it. For me, it makes it a product I prefer to apply at night rather than in the mornings when I'm rushing to get ready. I do find it hydrating, but it's not my favourite thing to use for this purpose, as I prefer the feel of either a richer moisturising cream or a hydrating sheet mask. However, I love it for brightening. I really did see almost instant effects with it, especially when layering it on after a Vitamin C serum (the one I talked about in this post). If I apply the two products in the evening, I wake up with lovely bright looking skin the next day. For this reason, it's definitely earned a place in my bathroom cabinet for the foreseeable future.

One of my favourite things about this product is its versatility. I've seen a couple of other bloggers review this and it's clear that different people will get different things out of it, depending on their own skin's needs. For some, this will be a lovely daily moisturiser. For me, it works best as a treatment a couple of times a week or whenever I feel I need a brightening boost.

If you fancy trying it out for yourself, you can pick it up here. And if you do, make sure you enter the code WISHVITE10 at checkout, as Wishtrend are offering 10% off on this product until 31st October.

Are you a fan of Vitamin E in skincare?

Kate x

*Gifted product. Some links may be affiliate links. All opinions, as always, are my own.